Question 73: IN RECENT YEARS, GLOBAL WARMING HAS BECOME A SIGNIFICANT THREAT TO LIFE ON EARTH. HOW DOES BUDDHISM VIEW THIS ISSUE?

Answer: Scientists have long warned that the use of fossil fuels, such as oil and coal, releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. This carbon dioxide traps the sun’s heat, causing the temperature of the atmosphere on Earth to rise continuously. Today, everyone can clearly feel this intense heat everywhere. Even traditionally cold regions are starting to warm up, and many people have died from severe heatwaves.

Why do humans rely so heavily on fossil fuels like oil and coal?

It’s because humans, with their intelligence, have created machines to perform work on their behalf (and now, AI can even think for them). These machines require fuel to operate. The current technology predominantly uses oil or coal to power machines, vehicles on land, airplanes in the sky, ships on the water, and thermal power plants. The combustion of these fossil fuels primarily produces carbon dioxide, which accumulates in the atmosphere, becoming increasingly dense and trapping more heat, though it is invisible to the naked eye.

This is the consequence of using the Earth’s resources for human activities. Unfortunately, these activities involve unwholesome, frivolous, meaningless, self-indulgent, and selfish pursuits that far outweigh those that are beneficial and lead to enlightenment.

When this imbalance occurs, humans immediately face the consequences of rising planetary temperatures.

One might ask: “How can machines or the atmosphere distinguish between wholesome and unwholesome actions, or between actions that lead to enlightenment and those that lead to delusion?”

The answer is: “The Sun knows.”

If humans use machines for virtuous activities that lead to enlightenment, the Sun will naturally adjust its intensity, burning less fiercely to keep the Earth from overheating. However, if humans continue to misuse machines for meaningless, selfish, or even harmful activities, the Sun will respond by burning even more intensely, further contributing to global warming.

Therefore, the Earth’s resources should only be used for virtuous purposes and to support the path to enlightenment.

The Author

JANNA is the pen name of a certain monk who does not wish to use his real name. He is likely mature enough to understand that fame, wealth, and glory are as fleeting as morning mist.

In Pali, “JANNA” means purity, so it’s unclear which country he’s from. However, he seems to have studied the Nikaya scriptures.

Although he writes about Buddhism, he appears to desire unity with other religions to contribute to the cause of world peace. He attempts to demonstrate how differences can complement one another…